An inspiration guide to using more local food in tourism. How local food can make your tourists and guest remember you even more.
This is an inspirational guide to how using more local food can add to the tourism experience. This guide is for local tourism operators and others working with tourism in the Arctic and Subarctic regions who want to create unique food experiences as part of their tourism business.
This guide is produced by New Arctic Kitchen, 2025
Our parts of the world attract tourists in search of the extraordinary – raw nature, resilient people, and a unique way of life. Experiencing local food culture is as much a part of that as the northern lights, wildlife, or endless summer nights. The taste of a place can leave as strong an impression as its landscape.
Local food in tourism isn’t just about feeding hungry guests. It’s about storytelling, identity, atmosphere, and creating deep emotional connections. Try to remember one of the best meals of your life – chances are, it wasn’t just about the food. It was about where you were, who you were with, the stories that came with each bite. By using more local food in your business, you can offer something guests will remember – not just as a meal, but as part of their journey.
“But I’m not a chef.”
You don’t have to be! Anyone can create meaningful, delicious, and memorable food experiences with simple tools, a bit of local knowledge, and a dash of inspiration. This guide is here to help you get started. Think of it as inspiration. Use it in your own way. Pick and choose from it. Make it your own.
Start small – Start simple – But start
This guide is supported by Nordic Council of Ministers
This guide is produced by New Arctic Kitchen, 2025:
– Viktor Eriksson, Åland Islands
– Inunnguaq Hegelund, Nuuk, Greenland
– Gunnar Jensen, Tromsø, Norway
– Nauja Bianco, Copenhagen, Denmark
– Rasmus Holm, Copenhagen, Denmark
GET INSPIRED
Download the full guide here as pdf.
This guide is made for you as a tourism operator in the Arctic and Subarctic. It shows how local food can turn a simple meal into an unforgettable part of your guests’ journey. With inspiration, tips, and easy ideas, you’ll see how local ingredients add stories, identity, and atmosphere to your experiences. Even small steps – a local snack, a taste of the wild, or a simple dish outdoors – can create powerful memories your guests will take home with them.
To inspire you further, we’ve made three short films from Åland, Greenland, and Norway. Each shows how simple cooking, local ingredients, and beautiful surroundings can combine to create experiences your guests will never forget. Watch the 3 inspirational films with the chefs Inunnguaq Hegelund from Greenland, Gunnar Jensen from Northern Norway and Viktor Eriksson from Åland Islands.
